Those berms will do nothing to change the air flow. At most, minor disruption, but the air flow will be mostly turbulant anyway. If the flow through there was laminar it might have a really small effect at a very low level, but would just make it turbulant. Most landscapers would know little about controlling air flow anyway.

Merchants stoic about latest Project 180 disruptions

By: Brian Brus The Journal Record October 7, 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY – Barry Smith didn’t think downtown road construction was much of a problem until he noticed customers calling for directions to Henry Hudson’s Public House.

He had adapted to pylons, crews and detours over time, Smith said, and he typically approached his Bricktown business from another direction. From the west, though, passing through the work at the railroad bridge was more intimidating.

“I’ve had to talk to people on the phone and guide them here from the hotels a few times,” Smith said. “But it hasn’t been too bad. We know that something good is coming from this.”

City Hall has been upgrading everything on the streets and between buildings downtown for several years as part of Project 180, a $180 million public works project triggered by the construction of the Devon Energy corporate tower. The last contract package of construction work is taking place along E.K. Gaylord Boulevard, which has required traffic adjustments.

“Merchants are adapting to it,” said Mallory O’Neill, the Bricktown Association district manager under Downtown OKC Inc. “It’s difficult right now, but we know that good things are coming from it … particularly pedestrian accessibility to Bricktown.”

“It’s exciting to see developments in the Project 180 package and the new boulevard,” O’Neill said, referring to the redevelopment of the former Interstate 40 crosstown. “We’re excited for the great changes it’s going to make to the district, so I think merchants for the most part have a positive outlook on it.”

O’Neill said she rarely hears complaints from organization members. Downtown OKC will take over streetscaping management and upkeep from the city once Project 180 is complete next year.

One of the most obvious examples of adaption is Pinkitzel’s sign near the Gaylord intersection that tells consumers the cupcake and candy store is still open.

“We love what Oklahoma City is doing to make the city special, so it’s real hard to speak ill of that work,” owner Jonathan Jantz said. “But it sure is no fun being at the corner where all the action is. … We appreciate all the customers who are placing orders and taking the trouble to reach us.”

Still super disappointing that most of EKG was deleted. When the residence on 4th and EKG opens up, it will be even more obvious this was a mistake.

I took these photos yesterday.

You can see the atrocious state of the crosswalk right in front of City Hall, which is typical of about 2/3rds of the crosswalks through this project. Also, most the center striping, bike lane and parking lines have worn away and it's been that way for 3 to 4 years in most spots.



Good news - was down at Park and Hudson a couple nights ago and they've actually been working on redoing those crosswalks. Still a lot of other intersections not looking great, however.

That is good news.

But apart from the crosswalks, the lane, bike and parking markings are almost all completely gone as well.

P180 has reached to being in front of the Santa Fe Station. It is difficult to see the actual progress over the barriers, but the crews seem to be working longer days on this stretch.

Looky here... First bright green bike lane markings I've seen in OKC. This is on Walker near Avana.

From https://twitter.com/orangeurbansf:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/p180011116.jpg

Looky here... First bright green bike lane markings I've seen in OKC. This is on Walker near Avana.

From https://twitter.com/orangeurbansf:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/p180011116.jpg

They're making fast progress throughout the CBD. Saw them working at Colcord and Walker just before 6. By 7 they were putting down the new markers at RSK and Robinson.

Looky here... First bright green bike lane markings I've seen in OKC. This is on Walker near Avana.

From https://twitter.com/orangeurbansf:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/p180011116.jpg

How long before those markings fade away like the other street markings they've done (i.e. crosswalks, etc.)?

How long before those markings fade away like the other street markings they've done (i.e. crosswalks, etc.)?

I was told by Eric Wenger they have worked out the paint issues and the new markings should wear much better.

By the way, that paint issue came right out of taxpayers pockets and also occurred in Film Row, which should have been detected long before all this P180 work made the same mistake.

Also, as I've griped about many times, it's taken 3-4 years to re-stripe these areas and many still have not been done. In the meantime, there are either no discernible markings -- including center lines in streets -- or they look atrocious.

And I as far as I know, there is no plan in place to redo the Film Row streets which are in the same condition even though a lot of tax money was spent on that project.

For the life of me, I don't understand why every misspent dime at the Capitol attracts reporters in droves yet debacles like these never warrant a peep. Actually I do understand it... The local media is completely in bed with the City and local power brokers who do not want this sort of scrutiny.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/p180020417.jpg

Progress but this project continues to move very slowly.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/p180030917.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/p180030917a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/p180030917b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/p180030917c.jpg

I've seen glaciers move quicker. It's ridiculous.

The mess on EKG started out like a wildfire, but now it seems there is like 6 people working each day. And I honestly don't understand the work... There is no street improvements made anywhere, it is still utility relocation.

The mess on EKG started out like a wildfire, but now it seems there is like 6 people working each day. And I honestly don't understand the work... There is no street improvements made anywhere, it is still utility relocation.

They have been doing tons of utility work and line maintenance. When the workers open uop the streets they don't always know what is down there and what challenges they will face. They have put in pavers at the intersections. It has taken more time than usual because the contractor has had to accommodate for Pinkitzle, Amtrak, Peak, and Cox traffic, as well as coordinate with Santa Fe Station and Street Car Contractors.

It could very well be that this P180 pedestrian plaza project starts to move much faster now as it looks like they are ready to start laying pavers most everywhere and that usually signals that landscaping and the final touches aren't far behind.

The one area right off Main & Robinson seems to be the entry and exit point for most the equipment and materials and they are likely leaving that to the very end, which is why it's in such an unfinished state.

Hopefully this will start wrapping up soon. I'm sure Manhattan really needs/wants them to be finished before opening.

It could very well be that this P180 pedestrian plaza project starts to move much faster now as it looks like they are ready to start laying pavers most everywhere and that usually signals that landscaping and the final touches aren't far behind.

The one area right off Main & Robinson seems to be the entry and exit point for most the equipment and materials and they are likely leaving that to the very end, which is why it's in such an unfinished state.

Hopefully this will start wrapping up soon. I'm sure Manhattan really needs/wants them to be finished before opening.

They've also been moving equipment and materials in and out an entrance along Harvey next to the parking garage. I go by this area daily and that section around the Manhattan Bar has had VERY little progress for many weeks now... I don't understand why they can't finish that area and then finish the rest.

They have been doing tons of utility work and line maintenance. When the workers open uop the streets they don't always know what is down there and what challenges they will face. They have put in pavers at the intersections. It has taken more time than usual because the contractor has had to accommodate for Pinkitzle, Amtrak, Peak, and Cox traffic, as well as coordinate with Santa Fe Station and Street Car Contractors.

This, there hasn't been a single Project 180 phase (plus the Film District streetscape job) that's not ran in to numerous unmarked utilities, including but not limited to: building sewer services, building fire lines, storm drain lines, chilled water supply/return lines, etc. It's crazy, and those aren't things you just move past, you have to determine are they live, etc. For example, the first day an excavator went into the ground on the streetcar job, they encountered a line that everyone there said was dead, they cut it, and sure enough it was live.

... For example, the first day an excavator went into the ground on the streetcar job, they encountered a line that everyone there said was dead, they cut it, and sure enough it was live.

Really, 17 years into the 21st century and OKC can't figure this kind of stuff out, really? :doh:

It's not about now, it's about record keeping decades ago and ongoing maintenance of thhose records. This is not a problem unique to OKC.

It's not about now, it's about record keeping decades ago and ongoing maintenance of thhose records. This is not a problem unique to OKC.

What I can't understand is how "everybody" said the line was dead and yet it wasn't. Yeah, mistakes happen, but aren't there tools and devices that can show if electricity is actually flowing through a wire? I believe my $30 stud-finder could actually determine that and I'm betting they have even better tools than that at their disposal.

And this kind of stuff has happened way more than it should during the whole P180 debacle, I believe.

Sorry I'm talking about water lines

This was supposed to be finished in November; now in April and still nowhere close:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/p180040217a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/p180040217b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/p180040217c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/p180040217d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/p180040217e.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/p180040217f.jpg

That's what I've been complaining about... it's more than a little ridiculous... at least they FINALLY moved the fencing back between Oklahoma Tower and Robison Renaissance so that you can use the west entrance to RR after it's been closed for MONTHS with little to show for it for most of that time.

They are getting ready to start on 3 more segments.

The Main Street segment is a bit puzzling as most the work has already been done. Perhaps they are finally going to stripe the street, replace the old street lights and add some other hardscape.

At any rate, no way any of this is done before 2018. We are now many years over schedule.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/p180041417.jpg

This is the large mural by Jack Fowler that will finally cover that huge expanses of nothingness on the bottom of Oklahoma Tower.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/p180mural.jpg

Pete, I know work was completed on Main west of Hudson, but I don't believe this segment of Main has been touched previously. I could be wrong though.

Pete, I know work was completed on Main west of Hudson, but I don't believe this segment of Main has been touched previously. I could be wrong though.

It was, at least the street and some parts were done years ago.

However, there is not markings on the street at all and many of the old light fixtures are still in place.

It was, at least the street and some parts were done years ago.

However, there is not markings on the street at all and many of the old light fixtures are still in place.

Yeah I'm trying to remember if we did utility relocations there. It's weird because on Google Earth there is a noticeable difference in pavement color from the intersection at Robinson and the rest of the street running east.

that stretch of main sure doesn't LOOK like it was touched from the ground... but I don't have a clear memory about it

Yeah I'm trying to remember if we did utility relocations there. It's weird because on Google Earth there is a noticeable difference in pavement color from the intersection at Robinson and the rest of the street running east.

Looking out my window, Main Street hasn't been touched there has been some utility relocation and repair but that is about it. The intersection with Robinson was upgraded but just a few feet east on main.

Looking out my window, Main Street hasn't been touched there has been some utility relocation and repair but that is about it. The intersection with Robinson was upgraded but just a few feet east on main.

That is right.

And remember, they re-did the sidewalks on the south side of Main as part of the Century Center remodel.

They also removed the western half of the median that was in the middle of Main.

This section was supposed to have been done several years ago and I have no idea why they are just getting to it.

That's right, century center was P180 compliant, forgot about that

This project has dragged on for so long (and we are still at least 1-2 years before it's finally finished) that their website has expired, the City's dedicated page is gone and nobody has updated the Facebook page in over a year.

This project has dragged on for so long (and we are still at least 1-2 years before it's finally finished) that their website has expired, the City's dedicated page is gone and nobody has updated the Facebook page in over a year.

On the radio yesterday evening the host was complaining about how long the Maps 3 projects have taken (and campaigning against Maps 4), and my first thought was they should look at project 180 if they want something to complain about.

The original presentation that was approved by City Council in 2009 showed that this was to be finished in 2012. (!!!)

We are now on track to go over that by a factor of about 3 to 4 times the length, even though they cut about 40% of what was supposed to be done.

I get this is all very complicated and they ran into all types of issues but they keep resetting the timelines and scope swearing they've finally learned, then they miss all those things by a mile too.

At this point, even though I have every public document on this project, it's hard to even know where things stand. They may have finally succeeded in not having to be held accountable at all just through sheer attrition.

It's frustrating, but I'd be okay with it taking 20 years if it meant every downtown street got uniform streetscape/amenities

It's frustrating, but I'd be okay with it taking 20 years if it meant every downtown street got uniform streetscape/amenities

Looks like you'll get half your wish! ;)

They called it project 180 because that's how many months it's going to take.

It looks like they're making progress and I can finally picture in my head how it's going to look whenever they finish everything...


13928

13927

13926

^

Thanks.

Yes, it is confusing until you see it in person and it's finally far enough along to see the bigger picture.

Will make a huge difference and hope they can wrap this up soon.

With the library plaza finished, new Patio seating at Park Harvey Sushi, Opening of the Manhattan, and now the pedestrian plaza/mural coming to fruition, this intersection has radically changed over the last couple of months. I see this as being a very vibrant space in the years to come, especially once Park ave and first national come back alive.

With the library plaza finished, new Patio seating at Park Harvey Sushi, Opening of the Manhattan, and now the pedestrian plaza/mural coming to fruition, this intersection has radically changed over the last couple of months. I see this as being a very vibrant space in the years to come, especially once Park ave and first national come back alive.

Love to see the Sushi bar flourish. I used to eat that far to often when we lived in Park Harvey. The owners were always very nice and everyone in Park Harvey was very friendly.

$2.50 domestics for happy hour at Park Harvey sushi bar

The murals on the side of Oklahoma Tower are being finished up!

14059

14060

This is the large mural by Jack Fowler that will finally cover that huge expanses of nothingness on the bottom of Oklahoma Tower.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/p180mural.jpg

^ Here's the rendering for comparison

Yes, thanks.

Jack Fowler (the artist) has also been working evenings on that expansive south elevation.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/p180031818.jpg

Holy crap! The end may be in sight!

Is this as far up they are going to go on EKG? I know they are doing Main St right now, but can't recall if this is the last two areas or not. So much has been changed and removed from this project that I just wait until I see them tearing up a street to know where they're going next.

Holy crap! The end may be in sight!

I hope so. I was coming south on EKG the other evening, and I sat in front of the Santa Fe garage for 20 minutes. It is an absolute traffic nightmare.

Remember that in October the City told me (for a story I was doing about SF Station) and also City Council (in a presentation) that this would be finished in December.

So, 2 months out they missed their own date by a mile.

It is becoming a huge hot-button for me that they constantly make these presentations then miss their promises by a country mile, then stand up and just give a new date without ever alluding to what they had previously said, and then usually miss the new date again (and again).

Absolutely zero accountability... Which is why something like the street light issue sits there for years and nothing is done until a light (pardon the pun) is shined upon it.

BTW, they are now many years past their promised completion date for P180 even though they cut 40% of the original promised scope. And they have yet to even start on some sections.

Is this as far up they are going to go on EKG? I know they are doing Main St right now, but can't recall if this is the last two areas or not. So much has been changed and removed from this project that I just wait until I see them tearing up a street to know where they're going next.

P180 treatment is only happening between Reno and Sheridan on EK Gaylord. I'm pretty sure (but could be wrong) the rest of Gaylord will be re-striped and have bike lanes installed but it won't be getting new street, trees or sidewalk.

When I said the end is in sight I meant for that stretch of EKG. It has been torn up for so long. Has had a much more profound negative impact on Bricktown businesses than the year plus of streetcar work, due to the fact that it is a barrier between Bricktown and the rest of downtown. Streetcar had significant impact as expected but everyone was able to plan for it, anticipate it, etc., not to mention communication was excellent, contractor worked to accomodate individual businesses, events, etc.. This stretch of Gaylord, OTOH...brutal.

Bike lanes on EKG with no redesign?

RIP cyclists.

I wanted to also point out that we were placated about doing this P180 work all over downtown before the streetcar by being told it would be super easy just to pull up the existing concrete in sections and lay down the track.

Yet, take a look at the mess on the SE corner of Hudson and Sheridan, right by the Myriad Gardens. That corner is completely destroyed -- curbs, intersection, paving, etc... And it's been that way for months.

They have also torn up several of the intersections that have been bothered to be repainted (many still have not been touched and are atrocious) and ruined that work which had already been done twice, and the second time taxpayers had to pay for that too.

At the very least, why the H would you pay to repaint intersections that you knew where going to be torn up for the streetcar, while breaking a promise two years ago to redo several that were not to be affected and still remain unpainted?

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/p180021018b.jpg

I wanted to also point out that we were placated about doing this P180 work all over downtown before the streetcar by being told it would be super easy just to pull up the existing concrete in sections and lay down the track.

Yet, take a look at the mess on the SE corner of Hudson and Sheridan, right by the Myriad Gardens. That corner is completely destroyed -- curbs, intersection, paving, etc... And it's been that way for months.

They have also torn up several of the intersections that have been bothered to be repainted (many still have not been touched and are atrocious) and ruined that work which had already been done twice, and the second time taxpayers had to pay for that too.

At the very least, why the H would you pay to repaint intersections that you knew where going to be torn up for the streetcar, while breaking a promise two years ago to redo several that were not to be affected and still remain unpainted?

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/p180021018b.jpg
That has to be one of the worst planning boondoggles I've ever seen outside of the crosstown boulevard. I will NEVER understand why they did the P180 stuff only to tear it up again.

That has to be one of the worst planning boondoggles I've ever seen outside of the crosstown boulevard. I will NEVER understand why they did the P180 stuff only to tear it up again.

$$$$$$$$$$$

Bike lanes on EKG with no redesign?

RIP cyclists.

*protected bike lanes